Sony_Fan

So which of the two formats sound better on an RH1, assuming they're both equal bitrates: MP3 or ATRAC3plus?

Instead of them releasing a new version, they should have released a patch for those running Vista. New versions should not be released unless the codecs have been improved. Bug fixes should be done with patches, not new versions. I should have just stuck with 4.0, seeing that 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 is exactly the same, as far as codecs.

So what the hell is new in 4.3, cause I already downloaded it and installed it? I'm hoping the codecs are improved which each version that we get. I'm running Windows XP MCE.

I've noticed the RH1 is about $20 cheaper at Minidisco than it is at SonyStyle. Why? Is there a difference in what is being offered?

Don't pressure me into getting an RH1

ATRACgain software would be ideal. Unfortunately, it does not exist and it should.

I'm talking about music transferred through SonicStage. My g/f has an iPod and I use MP3gain to normalize all her music. I would do the same, but the RH10 is a terrible MP3 player. Thus, we need ATRACgain software to normalize music before it is transferred to hi-md. MP3 playback is horrible on the RH10, even after EQ settings are changed. ATRACgain is what we need.

I just transfered a CD from the 90's that is lower in volume than those of today using ATRAC3plus 192. It sounds as clear as the CD source. This is because the CD has no distortion. I tried doing the same with a CD I bought last year which is louder and transferred it at the same bitrate and you hear distortion. Someone please, develope an ATRACgain software that's as easy and effective as MP3gain.

Well then the law should be re-written and state that only CD duplicates of equal bitrates is illegal. I do have one question, why didn't the creators of MP3 put such restrictions on it like Sony does with ATRAC. Look at the outcome: MP3 is very popular, ATRAC not very popular.

How about we don't tell Sony about it and put our ATRAC3plus files in a shared folder. I'm talking about music from CD ripped to ATRAC3plus. The copyrights state that it is illegal to duplicate the music on the CD. Duplicate by definition means an exact copy. Ripping a CD to ATRAC3plus in any bitrate is not a duplicate. A duplicate would be 1441kbps --> copy 1441kbps. We would be sharing files ripped between 64kbps and 192kbps. Those are not exact copies. Just like in the 80's when people were copying CDs to cassettes, no one got in legal trouble for that, because it's not an exact copy.

I had an idea. What if someone started a website where we could all upload music in ATRAC3plus format for us to share with each other. Music has to be between 64kbps and 192kbps. What do you guys think? There are so many MP3 sharing websites and programs, why not start one for ATRAC3plus music?

In my case it's the opposite, my DVD/CD writer imports music a little slower. I'm just wondering why? I even checked the "CD Smoothing" option and imported on both drives, and the DVD/CD writer still imported slower. What does the "CD Smoothing" option actually do???

I have two disc drives, a DVD-Rom and a DVD/CD writer. Which one should I use to import music into SonicStage. I noticed that the DVD/CD writer imports music a little slower than the DVD-Rom drive. Is there a reason for this? Would importing from the DVD/CD writer yield better sound quality. I'm just assuming that importing slower, is better. P.S. Instead of just reading this post and not replying, could you atleast tell me what kind of drive you use to import CD music.

I have the Sony head cleaner and lense cleaner. I've used them on my old Sharp MD unit and my MZ-RH10. I've had no problems with recording or playback. The reason I used the head cleaner was because I recorded onto some old MDs that had dust and lint inside. I know the MD is protected inside a case, but dust/lint can still get in there. But if you're always using brand new/clean MDs, no cleaning of the unit is required. Hope this helps.

So which one of these rips to MP3 with better sound quality? For some reason, I'm guessing iTunes, because I get the feeling that SS will intentionally make MP3s not sound as good as other MP3 encoders.

Anything new in SS 4.2, like improved ATRAC encoding, transferring or anything else?

FM quality is "equalized" from the radio station. That means that bass, treble and mids are adjusted to enhance sound quality. But a flat FM signal would be equivalent to Hi-LP.

Rumor has it that if you want to copy your CDs to the PS3 hardrive, it will do it using ATRAC3plus Hi-SP. Not sure if it's true though. I think Sony should use the PS3 to push ATRAC into the spotlight. As for streaming from SS to the Xbox 360, i don't think you can, or maybe you can, i haven't tried it. But all I do is load up a 1GB minidisc with my favorite MP3s and then stream that into the X360 using my RH10. I think that's more practical.

Apparently, it seems that the faulty MP3 playback of the RH10 only applies to those tracks that were transferred using SS. But when MP3s are dragged and dropped into Hi-MD thru Windows and then streamed into my XBox 360, they sound clear. Anyone else streaming music into their Xbox?

It's pretty simple. Hi-LP is equivalent to FM Stereo quality. Hi-SP is equivalent to CD quality. There's a huge difference between FM music and CD music.

Well, i think i found a way to reduce distortion from louder CDs. BEfore, I was just importing a CD with ATRAC3+ 256 at "normal" setting. Now, I import the CD as WAV files and then convert to Hi-SP and transfer to Hi-MD. It may be my imagination, but there seems to be less distortion.

I think you hit the nail on the head. This explains why CDs from the 80's and early 90's do sound better after being transferred to Hi-MD. Most of the CDs of the late 90's thru today are very loud and not very compression friendly.

They are selling it for $330 and comes with a LCD remote with free shipping. Anyone buy from Minidisco? Just want to know your opinions. http://www.minidisco.com/Sony-MZ-RH1;jsess...p;category=4863

Be serious. What we need is ATRACgain software. Something as easy to use MP3Gain.

I don't like WavGain because it doesn't work like MP3Gain. I would transfer MP3 to my Rh10, but they sound horrible.